Reflections from Pastor John Cao is a series of poetry and writings from the recently released Chinese Christian prisoner of conscience exclusively published by ChinaAid. The pieces below were written on April 29, 2024 and has been minimally edited for clarity. To read more of Pastor John Cao’s poetry, one can purchase the collection written while he was imprisoned, Living Lyrics: Poems from Prison.
Celebrating Christmas I
Continuous well-wishes vibrate the phone[1],
Young and old, East and West, celebrate as one[2].
Tonight, Jesus descends from the Father’s embrace[3],
From now on, life has a solid rock foundation[4].
Notes:
- On Christmas, people send each other celebratory and blessing messages, causing the phone to vibrate incessantly.
- East and West: people from both Eastern and Western countries celebrate.
- Father’s embrace: God’s embrace, see John 1:18.
- Solid rock: referring to the rock, see Matthew 7:24-25.
On this night, people are sending text messages and making phone calls, causing the phone to vibrate non-stop. They are sending each other beautiful wishes, and men, women, young, and old from both Eastern and Western countries are celebrating this holiday. Tonight, the Lord Jesus descends from the Father’s embrace into the world, and from now on, our lives have a solid rock as their foundation.
Celebrating Christmas II
The stars hang low as the only Son is born[1],
Wise men trek through arduous journeys[2].
You drum and I dance, celebrating a new era,
The whole world praises the fulfillment of salvation’s way.
Notes:
- Stars: According to the Bible, stars guided the wise men to Jesus’ birthplace. Only Son: referring to Jesus.
- Wise men: Several wise men traveled across the desert to visit and worship Jesus.
The stars hang low in the sky, guiding a few wise men to Jesus’ presence, celebrating the birth of God’s only begotten Son. They traveled a long way, crossing a difficult journey. You play the drum, and I dance, celebrating the beginning of a new era. The whole world praises together as the way of salvation is thus accomplished.
Ode to Tinnitus I
I suffer from tinnitus. Tinnitus is an interesting condition; as long as I’m awake, the sound never stops, which can be a bit annoying. However, there was one time when I clearly heard a voice speaking to me, pointing out a future direction (a prophecy), telling me to care for prisoners. Some people are like dry bones, and we should water them and bring them some hope. This applies to prisoners anywhere. Suddenly, I realized that sometimes tinnitus is God speaking to me. I’ll write two poems about tinnitus:
Roaring tightly wraps the thin eardrum,
Careful discernment reveals prophetic words[1].
Pity the prisoners who need care[2],
Watering dry bones, sowing hope[3].
Notes:
- Discernment: to understand, to realize. Prophecy: God speaking to people.
- See New Testament, Hebrews 13:3.
- Dry bones: see Old Testament, Ezekiel 37:11.
Ode to Tinnitus II
Day and night, a flood of voices resounds[1],
Tis the world’s unceasing praise that abounds.
Though no Bible in hand I hold,
The Lord’s words are ever whispered, truth be told.
The benevolent heed the command with care[2],
The faithful servant, admonished, pursues the wise and fair[3].
Does the lasting gale, back and forth, weary the heart[4]?
Hold fast till the end, to triumph thou shalt depart.
Notes:
- Resounding: a very loud sound.
- See Old Testament, Deuteronomy 28:1-2. Benevolent: referring to Christians who, upon hearing a command, should immediately and carefully obey.
- Faithful servant: God’s faithful servants, upon receiving admonition, should quickly pursue the wise ones before them.
- Lasting gale: prolonged tinnitus.
Day and night, it seems as if many people are speaking loudly in my ears, but it turns out to be the sound of the whole world praising in unison. Although I do not have a Bible in my hands, the Lord Jesus’ instructions echo in my ears. A truly compassionate person, upon hearing the Lord’s command, will carefully obey it. We, the faithful servants of this generation, having received the admonition, must eagerly pursue the former sages like Peter and Paul. The constant tinnitus is like the incessant Holy Spirit invigorating my weary heart. As long as I hold fast to my faith, I will return in triumph.
The Fisherman
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:5
Fishermen vie to row near the Lord’s side[1],
Hesitate not, but swiftly comply with His word[2].
Time waits for no one, why tarry for four months[3]?
An inch lost, and a boat full of fish you’ll forfeit[4].
Notes:
- Fishermen: referring to Peter and other disciples, who were originally fishermen.
- When Peter heard Jesus telling him to cast the net, he still hesitated.
- Four months: see John 3:35.
Peter and the other fishermen vied to come to the Lord Jesus’ side. Do not hesitate, but quickly obey the Lord Jesus’ words. Time is pressing; where is there time to wait for another four months? Losing a precious inch of time will result in losing a full boatload of fish.
Testifying Together
Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:5-7 and Romans 12:5
Human and the Holy Spirits testify with the Lord Jesus,
Washing away sins, the innocent crucified.
Christians fused into one, loving one another,
The earth shall then reveal a bright future.
People and the Holy Spirit testify together that Jesus is the Savior. He was innocently crucified on the cross, washing away the sins of mankind. We Christians are fused into one body, fellowshipping with each other and manifesting God’s love. At this moment, the world will see a bright future.
Occupying Land in Vain
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:19
The grand tree stands lush and verdant,
Birds flock to build their nests.
From afar, it’s hard to discern the confusion,
Seemingly bearing fruit in abundance.
Upon closer inspection,
Emptiness leaves one anxious.
Regretfully, the axe falls,
To prevent the land from being wasted.
A luxuriant, large tree with many birds nesting in it appears to bear abundant fruit. However, upon closer inspection, there is nothing at all. The only option is to chop down this fruitless tree with an axe to avoid wasting land. Let the land be given to a tree that can bear fruit!
Just Over a Year Left
n prison, one thing that inmates must do every day is calculate how much time remains in their sentence. I am no exception. On March 5, 2022, with 1 year and 364 days left until the end of my sentence, I couldn’t wait to announce that I just had over a year left. I wrote a poem to celebrate.
Rejoice, for just over a year left,
In faith, I prematurely sing the victory song.
Though aged, my heart still swells with vigor,
On the majestic mount, I’ll meet the Lord[1].
Notes:
- Moses ascended the majestic mountain to meet Jehovah. See Exodus 34:28.
I am so overjoyed that my remaining sentence is only more than a year. I sing the victory song in advance, with faith. Although I am old, I am still nurturing a strong heart, determined to climb the majestic holy mountain to meet our Lord Jesus.
Singing in Harmony
Brother Liu Jinlian from Canada often writes poems to encourage me. Today, I’m writing a poem in return:
My spirit’s palace, a nine square feet space,
Roots diving deep, gazing up at the rainbow’s flare.
Daily praise leaps within my heart,
With you, I chant the Psalms, our voices never apart.
This narrow nine square feet space is my spirit’s palace. Here, I dive deep to take root and gaze upward at God’s rainbow. Every day, praise leaps within my heart. You and I sing to each other, chanting the Psalms together.
Enjoying the golden years
In this lovely place[1], I leisurely enjoy my golden years,
All the blessings[2] appear before my eyes.
Every bone in my body remains healthy and strong[3],
This special gift needs to be passed on and carried on.
Notes:
- Lovely place: refers to prison.
- See Deuteronomy 28:2.
- See Psalm 34:20 in the Old Testament.
Prison is the wonderful place where I serve; here, I leisurely enjoy my golden years. All the benefits and blessings have come one by one before my eyes. Every bone in my body is still healthy and intact. Being imprisoned is a special gift that began with our predecessors and needs to be passed down from generation to generation.
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